Present: Adams, Banach, Barker, Brewer, Brigham, Domier, Gross, Levine, Luce, McDermott, McGinty, Misra, Paynter, Phillis, Schmalzer, Smethurst,

Staff: Gallagher, Reardon, Wulkan                

Absent: Ash, Brandt, Danai, Gubrium, Phillips,

1.         Minutes of November 4, 2009

            Approved unanimously

2.         What Are We Hearing?

            a) Workload Policies

            Public Health has a new policy defining teaching load, a definition of “research active”, and how that translates into a reduced teaching load.  This is the sort of policy that must be bargained with MSP.

            Board members from Biology, Biochemistry, Anthropology and History talked about how workload issues are addressed in their departments.  The Board discussed the pros and cons of a universal workload policy, and decided to try to start by collecting all existing policies and having a discussion at the next Board meeting based on a presentation by Mickey based on a sample policy.

            b) Paying part of one’s salary out of research funds to be eligible for summer salary.

This is a medical school model; we have started hearing that this is being considered by the administration.   One Board member referred to this as the “Successful Scholar Disincentive Program”.

3.         Meeting with the Chancellor

Associate Provost Susan Pearson has invited MSP to an off-the-record meeting with the Chancellor.  At our regular meetings, both sides are constrained by not being able to discuss issues related to collective bargaining for fear that comments could be used in grievances.  MSP has agreed to such a meeting in an attempt to improve the dynamics between the Chancellor and the union, and to hear what information the Chancellor has to share.

4.         Furloughs

Non-unit administrators have to take 9 days of furlough between the fall and spring semesters.  Since they can use vacation time, this will not save the University much money.  It will, however, reduce their bookkeeping liability.  MSP should be prepared to be asked to agree to furloughs.  9 month faculty, however, have no vacation time.  MSP may want to consider establishing cost-savings committees consisting of faculty and staff in each budgetary unit.  We will work in coalition with the other unions if furloughs are requested.

5.         Membership Lunch

The agenda was discussed and finalized for the next day’s meeting.